What Is an Exit Interview?

When an employee leaves the company, some companies have a protocol to conduct an exit interview with them. Interviewers may ask questions about their experience in the role and with the company, in an effort to improve their company's culture and ways of workng.

Let's take a look at what an exit interview is and some examples of questions the human resources team might ask.

What is an exit interview?

An exit interview is a brief conversation or survey that is conducted with an employee who is leaving an organization. Exit interviews occur most often between an employee and an organization, but they can also be between a student and an educational institution, or between a member and an association.

At a company, these interviews are conducted by human resources (HR) or the "people" team. They can happen whether or not the employee was let go (fired or laid off) or if the employee quit. Interviews usually take between 30 and 60 minutes. They help organizations gain invaluable feedback.

Exit interviews are not mandatory. Employees who are leaving are well within their right to decline a request for an exit interview.

The purpose of an exit interview

About 75 percent of companies conduct exit interviews, according to Harvard Business Review [1]. Why do so many companies conduct them? There are several reasons: 

• Identify areas for improvement: One key purpose of an exit interview is to get a first-hand account of any problem areas within the company. Employers want insight on how to improve the work environment and retain future employees. 

• Review outgoing procedures: Companies also conduct exit interviews to review any ongoing employee obligations. For instance, if you signed a non-compete clause or non-disclosure agreement, you might be reminded that you can’t work for a competing company.

• Encourage the employee to stay: In some cases, a company might use the exit interview to offer you a new position or new responsibilities, in the form of a counteroffer. This doesn’t happen often, but it is a possibility.

Are exit interviews mandatory?

In some companies, exit interviews are set as an employee obligation. If you signed a contract agreeing to do an exit interview, then you’re required to do so. 

If you didn't, then you’re not legally obligated to participate in an interview, according to the Society for Human Resource Management [2]. You can voluntarily decline to participate. 

Should you participate? That's entirely up to you. Some people believe that completing an exit interview is a way to leave on good terms and suggest changes to help the person who follows you. But if you’re emotional about leaving or think you'll struggle to provide constructive criticism, skipping the interview may be best for all parties involved. 

Common exit interview questions

During an exit interview, HR will ask several questions on your decision to leave and how the company can improve. Here are questions you might hear during an exit interview: 

• Why did you start looking for a different job?

• What does your new position offer that differs from your role here?

• In what areas could the company improve? 

• Is there anything that could have kept you here? 

• How would you describe the company culture? 

• How was your relationship with your manager? How could it have been better? 

• Did you feel like a valued team member while working here? 

• What are the best and worst parts of your job? 

• How could we improve employee morale? 

• Do you feel like you lacked resources, training, or feedback that you needed to improve or stay? 

• Did you have adequate growth potential within the company?

• What would you change about this position? 

What to expect during the exit interview

It's normal to feel a range of emotions when leaving a job. If you’re planning to complete the interview, it helps to know what to expect. During the interview, you can typically expect:

1. Questionnaire to start the process

To begin the exit interview, you may receive a set of questions via email or an online survey. Some companies use these pre-interview surveys as a way to guide the exit interview. With the basics provided from the questionnaire, HR managers use the in-person time to talk through specific feedback.

2. A professional setting

Generally, a manager or human resources representative will ask you to sit down in a conference room or office. Most companies tend to lean towards a formal setting to conduct the interview. If in-person meetings aren't possible, exit interviews could take place through a video call.

3. Objective interviewer 

The person conducting the interview will ask questions, listen to your answers, and likely jot down some notes. Since exit interviews can be charged, the person asking the questions will remain neutral. This might be a bit off-putting, but it's meant to keep the interview professional. 

4. Confidential review process

In most companies, the data collected during an exit interview is kept confidential and anonymous. Companies that effectively use exit data to identify and fix problems do share your feedback with executives, but they do so anonymously. 

Before your exit interview, you can ask how your responses will be used. 

How to leave a positive impression

An exit interview presents an opportunity to make an impact for the experience of those on the team you're leaving, as well as on future employees of the company.

Write it down.

Take some time to write down the thoughts you’d like to share. Whether you worked at the company for one year or 20 years, you gave your time and energy to that company, so you’re bound to have something to share. To make sure you discuss your priorities, write your thoughts down beforehand. 

Keep it positive.

You can point out problems, but try to do so in a productive and respectful way. For example, if you had problems with your boss, express those concerns constructively by suggesting improvements in work distribution or delegation of responsibilities.

If you’re disappointed about being passed over for a promotion, you can mention a lack of professional growth opportunities within the company.  

Express gratitude.

At the end of the interview, express gratitude. Thank the interviewer for listening to your thoughts about the company. Express gratitude for the growth and learning you experienced while employed there.

Participating in an exit interview is one of the last things you’ll do before moving on to new opportunities. Leaving on a positive note can be helpful should you need a reference in the future. 

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